Recently
while cleaning out the basement of our house, I came across a letter of
commendation written on January 12, 1939 from the Principal of Seward
Park High School at 350 Grand Street, New York, New York. On the 6" x
8" stationery, Principal Robert B. Brodie had written the following:
Staring at this yellowed paper, I realized that I had just gone 180 degrees back in time to a different set of societal expectations. As an immigrant who could barely speak English, my grandmother implicitly knew that citizenship training was vital to the integrity of America. School administrators understood that citizenship instruction was an expected part of the curriculum and that, ultimately, acquisition of this knowledge base was a great source of pride.
We have swerved off course considerably since that time.
Dear Mrs. Cohen,A commendation about citizenship! What a novel idea. The recipient of this award was none other than my mom, who was born in America to an immigrant who fled from the pogroms of Russia.
This letter of commendation is sent to you because of the excellent rating in citizenship received by your daughter this term.
We congratulate you and trust that Ida's record in the future will continue to merit commendation.
Staring at this yellowed paper, I realized that I had just gone 180 degrees back in time to a different set of societal expectations. As an immigrant who could barely speak English, my grandmother implicitly knew that citizenship training was vital to the integrity of America. School administrators understood that citizenship instruction was an expected part of the curriculum and that, ultimately, acquisition of this knowledge base was a great source of pride.
We have swerved off course considerably since that time.
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